OSU women lose to Auburn in OT

By JIM MASSIE

Ohio State was unable to hold a lead late in regulation.

AUBURN, Ala. — Certain moments last a lifetime, and unfortunately, some memories are less pleasant than others.

Ohio State sophomore center Jantel Lavender already had one reason to remember the Auburn Tigers after they handed the Buckeyes their first loss of the season a year ago in Columbus.

Lavender and her teammates had an excellent chance to repay the 20th-ranked Tigers Sunday in Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum, but watched a six-point lead disappear in the final 2:32 of regulation. Once Auburn sent the game into overtime, the 17th-ranked Buckeyes ran out of gas in an 87-80 loss.

“I never like losing,” Lavender said, “and I don t think we should have lost this game. That’s what I m most disappointed about because I know what the possibilities are and how good our team can be. I think we could have won this game.”

For the first five minutes of the second half, the Buckeyes (3-1) looked like they might be headed for a blowout loss.

The Tigers (4-0) had stretched a 42-38 lead to 53-42 before OSU coach Jim Foster called a timeout. Eleven seconds after play resumed, senior forward Star Allen scored a basket that triggered a 21-3 run.

Lavender scored the final eight points of the barrage. Three of the baskets came on fast breaks triggered by freshman point guard Samantha Prahalis, and the Tigers looked dazed.

After Ashlee Trebilcock unloaded a 3-pointer at the 6:09 mark that stretched the OSU lead to 66-58, Auburn mounted a charge. Alli Smalley, who finished with 23 points, hit the second of two key 3-pointers with 25 seconds remaining to tie the score at 75 and send it into overtime.

Lavender finished with 20 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. Allen finished with 18 points and eight rebounds.